A "compelling body" of circumstantial evidence points towards the guilt of convicted wife murderer Nat Fraser, a court has heard.

Prosecutors insisted Fraser, 48, was not the victim of a miscarriage of justice and his appeal over his wife Arlene's death should be refused.

However the Crown did apologise for "deeply regrettable" events which arose in the preparation of the trial.

Fraser was jailed for life in 2003 after a jury found him guilty.

His 33-year-old wife's body has never been found.

I readily acknowledge that the circumstances of this case disclose a deeply regrettable state of affairs in the preparation of this trial - John Beckett QC

At the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh on the fourth day of the appeal, John Beckett QC, for the Crown, responded to the first three days of defence submissions.

This has focused on police evidence about when Arlene's rings were seen in the Fraser home in Elgin, Moray.

He told the court: "I submit that the court should refuse the appeal on the basis it has not been demonstrated that there has been a miscarriage of justice.

"It remains the case that there was and is a compelling body of circumstantial evidence giving rise to an almost irresistible inference that the appellant was, as the jury determined, guilty of being involved in the instigation of the murder of his wife, the deceased Arlene Fraser."

Crown apology

Mr Beckett told the appeal judges: "I readily acknowledge that the circumstances of this case disclose a deeply regrettable state of affairs in the preparation of this trial.

"I apologise for that on behalf of the Crown."

Fraser is appealing the conviction on the grounds that the defence were not made aware of the evidence of Pc Neil Lynch and Pc Julie Clark.

Police lied to the prosecutor in order to get a conviction, it has been claimed.

The court was told two officers who said they saw Arlene's rings in her house had been "hung out to dry".

The hearing, which began before the Lord Justice Clerk Lord Gill and Lords Osborne and Johnston on Tuesday, continues.

The judges will deliver their written judgement some time later.

Fraser, who was ordered to serve at least 25 years of a life sentence, was released on bail in May last year.